Nail Fungus

Nail-Fungus.org

Nail Fungus (also called tinea unguium or onychomychosis) affects the fingernails and toenails of an estimated 30-35 million Americans. This disease is commonly misunderstood and left untreated for various reasons. The fungi that cause toenail fungus are related to those that cause ringworm, athelete's foot, and other common fungal infections. This website is dedicated to providing information on the symptoms, treatment options, and causes of fungal nail infections. Toenail fungus, in particular, is notoriously difficult to treat. These fungi can also be confused with other conditions, such as psoriasis of the nails, nail ridges, and sometimes bacterial infections.

What is it?

Also known as Onychomycosis, fungal nail infections are caused by an organism that digests the keratin found in our fingernails and toenails. Our nails are naturally built to be strong barriers, and resistant to fungi and other infections. The strength of this barrier also makes nail fungus very difficult to eradicate once it is present.

Related Conditions & Risk Factors

Nail fungus is common among people with diabetes or other conditions that can weaken the immune system. Diabetics are especially vulnerable to infections like nail fungus because their high blood sugar inhibits some immune system responses.

What's the best treatment?

The best treatment will vary depending on many factors. For example, toenail fungus is usually much harder to treat than fingernail infections. You can find out more in our treatments section here. Remember, this information is only meant to help educate people, you should always see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.